Penn State Football

Odds: Penn State-Ohio State Spread is Out

Published

October 28, 2024

Penn State and Ohio State usually play close games with one consistent winner.

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Drew Allar #15 of the Penn State Nittany Lions passes the ball while under pressure by linebacker Cody Simon #30 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on October 21, 2023. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire)

In the wonderful land of odds, the spread for Penn State football’s Nov. 2 clash with Ohio State is out.

Although Penn State is the higher-ranked team (No. 3 vs. No. 4) and has the better record (7-0 vs. 6-1), Ohio State started the season ranked six places higher than Penn State (No. 2 vs. No. 8).

Additionally, Ohio State’s only blemish is a one-point loss at Oregon, which is now ranked No. 1, and for these reasons, Ohio State is an early 4.5-point favorite per FanDuel Sportsbook.

Penn State, although impressive, has not played anybody near Oregon’s caliber, so it’d be fair to assume that if Ohio State and Penn State switched schedules, Penn State would a loss and Ohio State wouldn’t.

There’s also the history factor.

1-9

Penn State coach James Franklin is 1-9 against Ohio State, with the last two losses being on Big Noon

James Franklin and Penn State take on Ohio State in a top ten matchup.

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Penn State has played Ohio State 10 times since James Franklin took over as coach in 2014. Of those 10 games, Penn State has won just one— the famous “block six” in 2016. Although Penn State has played Ohio State close far more often than not— five of the 10 games have been decided by possession one way or the other— Ohio State almost always wins. It’s hard to say how much Vegas values history when setting lines for current matchups but it’s also hard to believe that it doesn’t play a factor. Quite frankly, Franklin hasn’t earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to playing Ohio State. Until Penn State beats OSU, odds are most people won’t believe it can.

WILL DREW PLAY?

Penn State QB Drew Allar showed his emotions after losing at Ohio State last season.

Drew Allar would finish the day 18 for 42 with 191 yards and one touchdown pass. (Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now).

A big storyline going into Saturday’s game is whether Penn State QB Drew Allar will be healthy enough to play. He got hurt late in the first half at Wisconsin and didn’t return. If Allar can’t go, Beau Pribula is Penn State’s likely starter. Pribula went 11-for-13 for 98 yards and a touchdown in relief of Allar.

Regardless of who starts for Penn State against Ohio State, the game is scheduled to kickoff at noon on FOX.